SATURDAY SIX: 6 of the MOST UNIQUE Dining Experiences at Walt Disney World

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at some of the Most Unique Dining Experiences at Walt Disney World. Nobody enjoys eating at “The World” more than us. From trying next level bonkers hotdogs at the Grand Flo and Animal Kingdom poop snacks, to eating refined cuisine found at Be Our Guest Restaurant and ‘Ohana, food may have actually replaced attractions as what we look forward to the most on our Disney vacations. Now it can be expensive to eat onsite, no doubt, but Disney also offers many unique, one-of-a-kind experiences you will never get back at home. These meals won’t just fill you up, they’ll give you memories. So today we’re going to take a look at some of most unique dining experiences on property, starting with…

# 6 – Sanaa (Animal Kingdom Lodge)

The Animal Kingdom Lodge may be our favorite resort on Disney property. Among other things AKL has to offer; it has rooms in which guests can look out at live animals, has one of the best collection of onsite restaurants at WDW including Boma and Jiko, and also has authentic African art found throughout the resort. Did we forget to mention zebra domes? You can never forget zebra domes. While AKL may be off the beaten path for most WDW guests, one restaurant worth going well out of your way to experience is Sanaa. Located in Kidani Village, Sanaa is the only restaurant at AKL which has a view looking out onto the beautiful savanna and all the animals. The decor of the restaurant is wonderful, with the chairs having backs echoing African tribal shields and lighting fixtures based on nests that Weaver birds would make. The dining room floor has beautiful representations of acacia trees while the entire room is filled with art, which is appropriate since Sanaa is the Swahili word for artwork. Sanaa is hands-down one of the most gorgeous restaurants in Orlando.

Sanaa also happens to be the home of one of the all time greatest foods at WDW: the Indian-Style Bread Service. With five different types of breads and nine varieties of “accompaniments” (which may or may not be the Swahili word for dipping sauces) this is one appetizer that needs to be on your Disney Bucket List. The rest of the menu is worth exploring as well, with many unique options that are far removed from chicken fingers, hamburgers, and pre-made flatbreads,

Check-in desk at Sanaa. (photo by Lindsay Dubose)Pro Tip: Tell the check-in desk you’ll wait for a window seat.Indian-style bread service at Sanaa. (photo by Brandon Glover)Part of the Sanaa menu, including listing out what all the “accompaniments” are. I personally can never remember which ones I like the most, but when all 9 are in order I like the middle 3. My sweet spot. (photo by Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous @TheDCLBlog)Tandori Shrimp. (photo by @TheDCLBlog)

One item we love getting at both lunch and dinner is the Potjie Inspired dish. The menu describes it as: “Choose one from the Journey – Goan Seafood Curry, Butter Chicken, Braised Beef, or Spicy Durban Shrimp. Choose one from the Harvest – Chickpea Wat, Aloo Masala, Paneer Tikka, Lentil Dhal, or Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables. Served with scented Basmati Rice.”

If you are absolutely insane, like some people we know, you can go to the bar and order the Indian-style bread service to go and take it to the pool area.

Ultimate blogger move.

# 5 – AMC Dine-In Theaters (Disney Springs)

I have two places in Orlando where I like to see movies. One is the true IMAX screen at Pointe Orlando on International Drive. There is nothing like seeing a special effects laden blockbuster on a true IMAX screen. Nothing. The other place I’ll catch a film is at the AMC Dine-In Theatres at Disney Springs. With a shockingly good menu along with a full bar, this is how movies were meant to be enjoyed…with people bringing you stuff! Instead of the usual movie theater where there is literally nothing to do while waiting for your movie, the lobby of the Dine-In Theatres features the MacGuffins bar and lounge. At MacGuffins you can enjoy drinks along with being able to order off the food menu. Inside the actual theater, guests are seated with a table in front of them and a call button for your server. There is no minimum purchase, and you can even just order popcorn and soda (or nothing if you so desire.) Disney Springs has a bowling alley (Splitsville) and a movie theater that both serve food and drinks that are as good or better than many onsite restaurants. Don’t overlook them.

AMC Dine-In Theatres. (photo by Brandon Glover)A beer at MacGuffins. From personal experience, this makes movies like A Wrinkle In Time or Skyscraper MUCH easier to sit through. WARNING: they not make a drink strong enough for those about to watch Nutcracker and the Four Realms. (photo by Brandon Glover)Southern style chicken tenders. (photo by Brandon Glover)Inside a Dine-In theater. (photo by Brandon Glover)The button to call your server. (photo by Brandon Glover)Pizza. (photo by Brandon Glover)Oh, the kids want to see The Grinch for the third time? No problem there. (photo by Brandon Glover)Popcorn and Coke Freestyle soda, with unlimited refills. (photo by Brandon Glover)

# 4 – 50’s Prime Time Cafe (Disney Hollywood Studios)

50’s Prime Time Cafe at DHS is one of the few interactive restaurants at Disney, and by that we mean the diners are part of the “show.” The entire restaurant is themed to an old timey kitchen, complete with black and white TVs. With chicken noodle soup, meatloaf, Mom’s old fashioned pot roast, and Grandma’s chicken pot pie, the menu is themed to home cookin’ meals that many of us had growing up. The servers are always in character, such as “Cousin Lilly” or “Uncle Bob,” and will playfully nag you during the meal, so don’t forget to eat those green beans! With great theming, a tasty menu, and the chance to possibly see a family member get an “airplane” of food brought to their mouth, 50’s Prime Time has to be experienced at least once because there is nothing quite like it in your hometown.

50’s Prime Time Cafe. (photo by Kristi Fredericks)Inside Prime Time Cafe. (photo by Disney Photography Icon Tom Bricker. You can read Tom’s review of 50’s Prime Time Cafe over at Disney Tourist Blog)TV at 50’s Prime Time Cafe. (photo by Joseph Machado of Machado Farms, home of your theme park’s finest candles and soaps)Stuffed pork chop. (photo by Joseph Machado)This fried chicken is as good as it looks. (photo by Joseph Machado)Dessert at Prime Time, but only after you finish your vegetables! (photo by Joseph Machado)Chocolate cake. (photo by Joseph Machado)You did it! (photo by Joseph Machado)

# 3 – Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (Disney Hollywood Studios)

We admit that the menu at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at DHS is not going to earn any Michelin stars. In fact the food would have a hard time cracking the top half of WDW sit down restaurants. However, this list is about unique experiences and Sci-Fi delivers that and then some. The restaurant simulates diners being at a ’50s drive-in movie theater at night, and does so spectacularly. Guests are seated in a faux classic American car, which is an attraction in and of itself. Meanwhile all the cars are facing a giant movie screen playing classic clips from the 1950s. Our best bet? Get some appetizers and a couple milkshakes and just enjoy yourself. Or go for desserts, because the S’mores brownie and ice cream along with the house-made candy bar are legit. The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is what immersive theming is all about. The food may not be memorable, but the experience itself is something you will remember for years to come. Telling people back at home, “you won’t believe where we ate at…”

# 2 – Whispering Canyon Cafe (Wilderness Lodge)

Similar to 50’s Prime Time, the severs at Whispering Canyon Cafe can be fully committed to a “performance.” Meaning: this is not the place to come for a quiet and relaxing meal. However, mixed in with all the hootin’ and hollerin’ is one of our favorite meals at WDW because Whispering Canyon offers the All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Skillet (which will be described from this point on as the all you can eat skillet, because we’re not insane.) With ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, sausage and more, this skillet is what we call mighty fine eatin’! Whispering Canyon also offers a vegan-friendly skillet that contains items such as Beyond Meat sausage and Gardein chick’n. In fact, with this one dish Whispering Canyon went from one of the worst restaurants at WDW for vegans to one of the best. It’s that good. Even better, besides the all you can eat skillets there is all you can drink milkshakes! Kids will absolutely love Whispering Canyon because of the over the top atmosphere, including the well known bit of what happens when you ask for ketchup. Adults will enjoy it because of the tasty vittles.

Whispering Canyon Cafe. (photo by Brandon Glover)Waiting area at Whispering Canyon. (photo by Brandon Glover)Some of the Whispering Canyon seating. (photo by Brandon Glover)Booth seating at Whispering Canyon overlooking the Wilderness Lobby. (photo by Brandon Glover)All you can eat lunch skillet. (photo by Brandon Glover)Vegan friendly skillet. (photo by Brandon Glover)There’s even a breakfast skillet! (photo by @Christie0408)There are other items on the menu besides the skillet, but c’mon now, you’re here for the skillet! (photo by Brandon Glover)Ask for enough refills and you may get the LARGE soda….(photo by Brandon Glover)I did finish that soda by the way.Anyone ask for ketchup? (photo by Brandon Glover)

# 1 – Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Fort Wilderness)

If you haven’t done the Hoop Dee Doo Revue yet, stop reading immediately and book an ADR. We’ll wait here for you.

Back? Good. Now Walt Disney World is filled with wonderful shows, from Festival of the Lion King to Finding Nemo: The Musical to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, but Hoop Dee Doo Revue blows them all away. It’s funny, entertaining for all ages, and has songs you’ll be humming to yourself long after the show ends. Not only is the all you can eat food incredible, but even the plates that you eat on and the mason jars you drink from add to the overall dining experience. It’s one thing for the delicious fried chicken and finger lickin’ ribs to be unlimited, but the beer and sangria are also poured all meal long. If we’re dreaming, don’t ever wake us up.

The gigantic strawberry shortcake that caps off your dinner is one of the best desserts at WDW, and trust us, we’ve tried them all. It is rare to find something that can appeal just as much to the 7 year old in your party as it does to the 70 year old, but Hoop Dee Doo Revue hits that spot and continues to be a jewel in the Walt Disney World crown. On your next vacation you owe it to yourself to book a family dinner at Hoop Dee Doo Revue, and consider making a day or night of it and explore everything Fort Wilderness has to offer. You may surprised with what you find!

Pioneer Hall, home of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. (photo by Brandon Glover)Hoop-Dee-Doo. (photo by Brandon Glover)The beginning of an AWESOME meal. (photo by Brandon Glover)Oh, it’s fantastic! (photo by Brandon Glover)Unlimited refills! (photo by Brandon Glover)The only dessert at WDW with its own “moment.” (photo by Brandon Glover)Strawberry Shortcake. (photo by Brandon Glover)Guest interaction at Hoop-Dee-Doo. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Honorable Mention – Brunch at California Grill (The Contemporary)

The first rule of real estate is location, location, location, and no restaurant at WDW can top the California Grill when it comes to that. Sitting high atop the Contemporary Resort, the California Grill’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Magic Kingdom. During the park’s nighttime spectaculars, such as Happily Ever After, the lights in the California Grill dim while the fireworks music is played overhead. It’s also a truly wonderful place to be eating while enjoying the sunset. The service is more reminiscent of a fine dining restaurant than your average Disney table service restaurant, and is impeccable.

However, the meal we would recommend experiencing at California Grill is brunch. Offered on Sundays from 10AM to 1PM, this meal includes all you can eat buffet-style offerings along with an a la carte menu. At $80 per person, the price is steep, but the quality of food, the level of service, and the unbelievable view you get while enjoying your meal makes this one worth checking out.

California Grill and its million dollar view.“Brunch At The Top” offers stunning daytime views of the restaurant and Walt Disney World Resort. (photo by Tessa Koten)Chef’s fritttata with heirloom tomatoes, roasted poblano peppers, chorizo, and goat cheese served with marble potatoes (photo by Tessa Koten)Several varieties of house-made meats and accompaniments are on offer at the charcuterie table. (photo by Tessa Koten)Bloody Mary Bar. (photo by Tessa Koten.)

(UPDATE: A reader in the comments section suggested that the Dine-In Theatres at Disney Springs aren’t as unusual an experience as others on this list because AMC has more of these venues across the country. That is a great point and a reason why I wouldn’t have included a place like Rainforest Cafe. We’ll do a followup article with more appropriately unique locations including Biergarten, La Hacienda de San Angel, and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.)

SPECIAL BONUS LOCATION: Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)

Speaking of location… Cinderella’s Royal Table has the ultimate location, inside Cinderella Castle smack dab in the middle of the Magic Kingdom. This is the place many children (and adults) dream of being inside, and it lives up to the hype. Akershus in Epcot may be a better bang for the buck when it comes to meeting princesses, but Cinderella’s Royal Table is the most “magical.” The entire process is a memorable one, including the walk up the stairs to the actual restaurant. Is it pricey? Yes, but there’s a reason Cinderella’s Royal Table books up almost 180 days out consistently. There are so many little details in the building, and fun surprises for the kids throughout, that being able to meet several Disney princesses without waiting in line is just cherry on the sundae.

Even the walk up to the restaurant can be special.A little princess enjoying the billion dollar view at Cinderella’s Royal Table.Boys are given toy swords, while girls are given wands (although you can always request either if you child would like the other option instead.)Wishing Star at Cinderella’s Royal Table.Decorate your own cupcake dessert for kids. (photo by Julia Mascardo)Aurora meets a fan.A fun detail to keep an eye out for.

So there you have it: 6 of the Most Unique Dining Experiences at Walt Disney World! (yes, we know “most unique” is not grammatically correct, but we are the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE not the voice of Strunk and White.) See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out the E-Ticket Report podcast. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).

8 thoughts on “SATURDAY SIX: 6 of the MOST UNIQUE Dining Experiences at Walt Disney World”

We have eaten at all these places except the California Grill and they are all amazing places to eat!!! I am now going to book the California Grill for when we go in March! After that holiday we will have visited WDW every month of the year and will then consider which month we like best. I wonder what month your readers prefer – perhaps it can be asked in an Ask It blog?

I think the Brown Derby is an excellent place for a meal. In fact one of the better in-park restaurants in all of Orlando. However I’m not sure it ranks at the top of the list for being unique. You can have a similar experience at The Palm restaurant at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel for example. Both have a terrific menu and great service. Brown Derby has framed caricatures of celebrities while Palm has painted likenesses on the walls.

How did the Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion not make this list? AMC Dine-In Theaters can be found all around the county now. If it’s unique dining experiences you are listing, how about experiencing Octoberfest year round at night in a Germany village with a live polka band and all you can eat German food? It should have received an honorable mention at least, in my opinion.

That’s a good observation Tim. Personally, I would never consider Rainforest Cafe to be a “most unusual” dining location at WDW because we had one in a mall up in a New England. However, since AMC built the Fork & Screens after I left New Hampshire for Florida, I didn’t spend much time considering they are in other places outside of Orlando.
Biergarten is a great choice. I think dining inside the temple in Mexico at La Hacienda de San Angel is another “gotta do” even though I’ve never been blown away with the food. While other places – including Sea World – have a restaurant in an aquarium, there’s something to be said for The Coral Reef in Future World. With those, places like T-Rex, Mickeys Backyard BBQ, Be Our Guest and others, I think a sequel to this article will be coming sooner rather than later!

Great post as always, Derek. We just booked a long weekend and made reservations at Whispering Canyon, Prime Time, and Sci-Fi. Interestingly, the girls decided that they didn’t need to go to Cinderella’s Castle, Be Our Guest, or Hoop-De-Doo again. They’re certainly unique, but they’ve decided that going twice now was enough.

A suggestion for a future Saturday Six: best experiences *despite* the lack of theming. Three nominations for that list: Tusker House character lunch (food is fantastic, the vibe is nice, and the characters are wearing Safari uniforms); Cape May character breakfast (Goofy wearing “jazz pants,” as my then 5 yo put it — ’nuff said); and the Cinderella dinner at Grand Floridian (completely forgettable except for two words: STEP. SISTERS.).

Ohana with the best desert of any park being their bread pudding is our favorite. And being able to watch the fireworks from their windows is always a bonus. The problem is getting in for always booked but can wait and hope for a no show like we have in the past. Forget about that during the Christmas Holidays for it is booked solid.